Clemson Sweeps Coastal Carolina

CLEMSON - Clemson's baseball team has hit upon a very successful formula of late: score early, pitch well, and win big.

The Tigers did all three again Wednesday afternoon, rolling to an 8-1 victory over No. 25 Coastal Carolina before an announced crowd of 3,571 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The victory gives Clemson (14-9) a five game winning streak, and keeps their momentum strong heading into an important ACC series this weekend at Florida State.

The Tigers led 5-1 after three innings, thanks in part to a pair of run-scoring singles by Travis Storrer - one each in the first and third frames. Herman Demmink and Stan Widmann also drove in early runs, giving winning pitcher Jeff Hahn (1-1) a comfortable working margin.

Hahn responded with six strong innings, allowing just one unearned run. He did allow nine hits and found himself in more than one jam during his time on the mound, but each time he needed to make a big pitch or needed his defense to make a big play, it happened.

The biggest play came in the sixth, with Coastal Carolina (21-6) putting runners on first and second with nobody out. But Hahn got Kevin Entsminger to ground into a double play, then escaped the inning when Chris Todd grounded out to second base.

Clemson put the game away with three runs in the seventh inning, Andy D'Alessio and Adrian Casanova each coming up with RBIs in the frame.

The Tigers' bullpen closed it out the rest of the way, with Drew Fiorenza, Daniel Moskos and Stephen Clyne all pitching a scoreless inning.

Chanticleers' starter Ricky Shefka (4-1) pitched the first six innings, allowing five runs (three earned). Mike Valter was charged with the three runs Clemson scored in the seventh.

The Tigers travel to Florida State this weekend for ACC games Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Righthander Josh Cribb (2-2, 3.22) will start the series opener for Clemson.